Light-weight, wreck-resistant cabin

ABSTRACT

A vehicular cabin comprising: a substantially rigid body, endlessly arcuate in all cross sections in the form of Fig. 1 and in middle cross sections in the form of FIG. 12; and a shockabsorbing cushion around at least the bottom and a substantial portion of the sides of the body, comprising flexible foam plastic or yieldable fibers, and flexible, inflated tubes or balloons in the plastic or fibers. The wall of the rigid body includes: cans or tubes that are imbedded in substantially rigid foam plastic and optionally form part of stave-like elements whose bonded-together sides converge inwardly toward each other; mesh that tightly surrounds the foam plastic and cans; and stucco (containing plastic or portland cement) on the mesh. Balloon means, having a center of lift above the cabin&#39;&#39;s center of gravity, stabilize the vehicle against pitching and rolling. Inflated flexible tubes having tapered, flattened ends, of several uses in the cabin, are disclosed.

United States Patent Moore a [54] LIGHT-WEIGHT, WRECK-RESISTANT CABIN [72] Inventor: Alvin Edward Moore, 916 Beach [52] US. Cl ..244/l19 [51] Int. Cl. ..B64c l/00 [58] Field of Search ..244/1l9; 114/61, 66.5; 9/6

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,443,776 5/1969 Moore ..244/119 X Primary Examiner-Edward A. Sroka Att0rneyAlvin Edward Moore 1 1 Aug. 29, 1972 [57] ABSTRACT A vehicular cabin comprising: a substantially rigid body, endlessly arcuate in all cross sections in the form of Fig. 1 and in middle cross sections in the form of FIG. 12; and a shock-absorbing cushion around at least the bottom and a substantial portion of the sides of the body, comprising flexible foam plastic or yieldable fibers, and flexible, inflated tubes or balloons in the plastic or fibers. The wall of the rigid body includes: cans or tubes that are imbedded in substantially rigid foam plastic and optionally form part of stave-like elements whose bonded-together sides converge inwardly toward each other; mcsh that tightly surrounds the foam plastic and cans; and stucco (containing plastic or portland cement) on the mesh. Balloon means, having a center of lift above the cabins center of gravity, stabilize the vehicle against pitching and rolling. Inflated flexible tubes having tapered, flattened ends, of several uses in the cabin, are disclosed.

31 Claims, 18 Drawing Figures is 116 l"E\ "l a 7 7 I16 ikfi'izo r 9 *58 i I 92 90 i Patented Aug.29,1972 I 3,687,401

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 a. I i 5 1 r-A-LVl N EDWARD MOORE;

ATTORN Patented Aug. 29, 1972 3,687,401

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I FIG. 14.

rALVIN EDWARD MOORE,

' INVENTOR.

ATTORN EY.

LIGHT-WEIGHT, WRECK-RESISTANT CABIN This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 822,199, filed on May 6, 1969 now US. Pat. No. 3,559,923, comprising parts that were divided from that application. FIGS. 8, 9, ll, 12, 13, 14, and 16 are the same, respectively, as FIGS. 7, l0, 9, 1, 4, 3 and 6 of application Ser. No. 822,199; and FIG. 17 with a slight change correcting an error in previously drawing the after curvature of the body, is closely similar to FIG. 8 of the prior application.

This invention comprises the combination of a strong, substantially rigid, load-carrying, vehicular body and resilient shock-absorbing means around the lower part of the body. The current sad loss of life because present-day vehicles are not well protected against wreckage in collisions of boats and automobiles and in dangerous landings of aircraft makes an invention of efficient structure of such nature highly desirable.

In view of these facts, an object of the invention is to provide a crashproof vehicular cabin, especially adapted for use in boats and aircraft but usable in land vehicles, comprising a substantially rigid, arcuate-incross-section, breakage-resistant body and cushioning, shock-taking structure around most of the rigid body. Some of the other objects are to provide: (1) such a cabin in which the shock-taking structure surrounds a large part of the load-carrying body at least portions that are opposite applications of shock force in collisions and comprises flexible members containing gaseous material surrounded by a multiplicity of flexible, shock-absorbing elements; (2) such a cabin, especially adapted to aeronautical and/or marine use, comprising shock-taking tubular members below the loadcarrying body; (3) a cabin having a rigid, breakage-resistant body, and cushioning, shock-taking structure around a substantial portion of the body comprising at least one sealed, gaseous-material-containing, flatended, resilient tube and other shock-absorbing elements adjacent to the tube; (4) a cabin comprising: a substantially rigid, breakage-resistant body; shock-taking means around a substantial part of the body; and balloon means, fastened to the upper part of the loadcarrying body, having a center of lift above the vehicular center of gravity, stabilizing the cabin against vehicular roll and pitching; (5) a cabin of the type of (4), above, in which the shock-taking and balloon means comprise sealed, gaseous-material-containing, flat-ended, resilient tubes; and (6) a cabin comprising: a substantially rigid load-carryin g body, having an arcuate periphery and stave-like elements having curved outer surfaces and planar sides that converge toward its interior and are fixed together by bonding material between the sides; and cushioning, shock-taking structure around most of the rigid body.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following specification and the attached drawings.

In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the cabin, mostly in section from a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the load-carrying body of one form of the invention, but showing the central, arcuate, load-carrying body in elevation;

FIG. 2 is a view in cross section from the plane 22 of FIG. 1, with the flat deck (of the type illustrated in FIG. 8 or FIG. 13) not yet installed in the body 1;

FIG. 3 is a similar sectional view of a second form of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a similar sectional view of a third invention form;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, detail view in section from the plane 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 5, showing the gaseous material in the lower portion of the shocktaking structure as comprising gas-containing elements and foam plastic;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, detail view in section from the plane 77 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 2, from the plane 88 of FIG. 12, illustrating a fourth form of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, detail view in section from the plane 22 of FIG. 1, showing one form of the substantially rigid, breakage-resistant body;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a stave-like element of the general type shown in FIG. 9, comprising cans between converging planar sides;

FIG. 10A is a fragmentary view in section from the plane 10-10 of FIG. 10, illustrating the load-carrying body as comprising stave-like elements of the type of FIG. 10;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view in section from the plane 22 of FIG. 1 (or 88 of FIG. 12), showing an alternative arrangement of tubular members in the arcuate wall of the body;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of one type of vehicle incorporating the wreck-resistant principles of this invention (a helicopter), with a portion of its stern shown as broken away to illustrate the steering propeller;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the vehicle of I FIG. 12, with after portions of its load-carrying body and landing cushion broken away and shown in section, illustrating a fourth form of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary view in section thru a side wall of the load-carryin g body, illustrating the fastening of a door or window frame between spaced ends of tubular members;

FIG. 15 is a detail view in section thru the cylindrical (or optionally oblong) body wall, showing one type of the thin metal (or thin, dense plastic) tubular members;

FIG. 16 is a detail, sectional view showing an optional method of strongly joining cans to form jointed tubular members; and

FIG. 17 is a detail view, in section from a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the load-supporting body.

In each of the forms of the invention the invented cabin comprises: a substantially rigid load-carrying body (1 in FIGS. 1 to 4; 1A, FIGS. 12 and 13); balloon means (2 in FIGS. 1 to 4; 2A in FIGS. 8, 12 and 13); shock-taking structure, comprising a multiplicity of yieldable elements and, preferably, resilient tubes (for example, 3 and 4 in FIG. 2) imbedded in these yieldable elements; and optional, rearward, vehicle-attitude controlling means (5 in FIG. 1; 44-70 in FIGS. 12 and 13). In FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the load-carrying body I is shown as having a curved wall of welded, integral sheet metal (or of wooden or metal stave-like elements bonded together at each pair of their adjoining, inwardly converging edges); but preferably the wall of each of FIGS. 2 to 4 is thicker, stronger and more insulated, and comprises tubular members in one of the tube-assembly arrangements shown in FIGS. 8 to A and 14 to 17.

As indicated in FIGS. 8 and 14, the body wall comprises round tubular members (6 in FIG. 8, 40 in FIG. 14), which optionally may be of any of the forms shown in FIGS. 8 to 10A and 14 to 17. In each instance, foamed plastic, 8 (FIG. 15), or alternatively concrete having light-weight aggregate (such as expanded shale or clay or vermiculite), preferably surrounds the tubular members, within skin means of strong material, comprising inner and outer body skins of the exteriorly arcuate (preferably cylindrical) load-carrying body. As shown in FIG. 17 the outer skin of the body portion optionally comprises three skin layers: wire or strong fiberglass mesh 10(preferably expanded metal in the marine or land vehicle form of the invention, for example, expanded steel lath or expanded-aluminum network); stucco 12, impregnating and coating the mesh 10 (preferably portland or mortar cement, mixed with a fine, light-weight aggregate such as vermiculite, pumice or cinders, but optionally of epoxy, mixed with such aggregate or with cedar, cypress or redwood sawdust); and an outermost flexible sheath, 14 (preferably comprising flexible rubber or other flexible plastic, which may be applied in the form of glued, plastic sheet material, or as liquid-rubber cement of the Pliobond type, mixed with reinforcing, thickening fibers or particles. Preferably, rubber sheet is epoxy-glued to the stucco. The inner skin may be made like the outer one (with or without an innermost layer of the flexible rubber 14 in this interior use a thick passenger-protecting layer of foam rubber or other foam plastic or it may be formed only of the layers 10 and 12.

These skins are supported by a light-weight strong frame of tubular members, which may be in any of the disclosed tubular forms. As shown in FIG. 17, each tubular member is a row of end-joined cans, 16 and 18, of different diameters. The end caps of each of the smaller cans 18 are seated in and strongly bonded by epoxy, other strong glue or putty (or brazing, soldering or welding) 20 to the recessed end caps of adjacent larger cans. The resultant row is a jointed tubular member, having great strength at its joints, and having, between the numerous joints, light-weight, thin, gas-containing walls (optionally strengthened by pressurized gaseous material, which may have a pressure well above that of the atmosphere). This material may comprise air, helium, nitrogen, ammonia, hydrogen, other non-aerial gas or mixture, or gas-cell-containing foam plastic.

These tubular members, having a strength-to-weight ratio that equals or exceeds that of nature-jointed bamboo, are closely adjacent, preferably contiguous at their joints, and are arranged in the arcuately-shaped middle portion of the central body. This body (which is preferably circular but optionally may be oblong in cross sections) optionally comprises tubular members of the end-joined cans or of any of the other tubularmember forms of this invention; and it optionally may be made, as illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13 and 17, in the following way: (A) Cutting a wide piece of plywood (or metal or edge-joined planks that are glued together at their edges with epoxy or other strong cement) into the arcuately or circularly shaped cabin-end wall element 22 (FIG. 17). Although in some vehicles this element may have a door in it for access into the stern portion, it is preferably solid. A similar wall element is cut for the forward end of the main, middle-body space; this element has the same outer size and shape as 22, but is formed with a door in its middle part, for access into the bow portion of the cabin. (B) Cutting an arcuate piece, 24 (FIG. 12), of wide, strong metallic mesh (for example of expanded aluminum, expanded steel (metal lath) or hardware cloth), having a curved periphery similar to that of wall element 22, but extending outward from the periphery of 22 by a distance equal to the largest outward extent of the tubular members (equal to the diameter of the larger containers 16 when end-jointed cans form the tubular members), and gluing this piece 24 to element 22 with epoxy putty or other strong adhesive, a similar piece of mesh 26 (FIG. 12), of the same outer size and shape, is cut and strongly bonded with epoxy or other adhesive to the solid forward wall element, with a door hole that registers with that in the last-named element. (C) Placing a removable holder between the element 22 and the forward solid-wall element, and temporarily fastening it to and between these elements and the associated pieces of mesh in such a way as to hold them (only during assembly of the tubular members) in parallel positions, spaced apart by the desired length of the main load-containing space of the invention form of FIGS. 12 and 13, with their centers on the desired axis of the central body. This temporary holder may be a jig or fixture element or a plurality of rods, with screwthreaded ends extended thru holes in the spaced pair of solid end-wall elements and associated pieces of mesh and clamped to these elements by pairs of nuts that are screwed toward each other. (D) Annularly placing the tubular members on the peripheries of the solid endwall elements and fastening. their ends on these peripheries and against the closely juxtaposed outer rims of the associated pieces of mesh. The fastening is by means of epoxy putty or other strong adhesive, and in the form of FIG. 17, optionally and preferably, also with use of a bolt 28 at each end of each tubular member (which in FIG. 17 is a row of cans). This bolt may be fastened to each terminal can-end cap before this cap is soldered or otherwise bonded to the cylindrical can wall; or, as shown in FIG. 17, it may be inserted thru a hole 30 in each row-terminal can of each jointed tubular member, placed thru an end-cap hole and the adjacent mesh and clamped there by the nuts 32 and 34. The bolts and the optional nuts on them that are contiguous to the can ends are preferably bonded to these contiguous end-caps by epoxy or other strong adhesive, 36.

Where a side door opening or hatchway, 38 in FIGS. 13 and 14, is located, tubular members 40 are fastened to each side of the door or hatch frame and to elements 24 and 26. This fastening may be by epoxy or other strong adhesive and also, optionally, by bolts and nuts 42 that are similar to 28 and 32. (E) Stuccoing the mesh 24 and 26 with material comprising portland cement or epoxy adhesive (this is an optional step since its equivalent may be done in step (B) above, with thick adhesive or other cement). (F) Forming the abovedescribed pair of arcuate, wire-mesh skin elements 10, outward and inward of the tubular members, with similarly arcuate, integral portions of the mesh projecting rearward and forward of the upright pieces of mesh 24 and 26 (and the tubular-member ends) sufficient distances to form (in the invention species of FIGS. 12 and 13) the fishtail stern and the arcuately streamlined bow part of the body 1. (G) Cutting slits in the forward projection of this mesh, parallel to the axis of the body aft to the upright mesh 26; placing a streamline-shaped mandrel within the projection and against 26; bending the slitted mesh portions into the desired approximately streamlined bow shape, wiring or strongly sewing together the overlapped parts of these portions, from element 26 forward to the approximate place for a forward window; cutting out mesh to form the window opening; and inserting and epoxy-puttying a curved plexiglass window in the opening. (I-I) Cutting a hole for the steering-propeller support 44 in the top of the rear projection of the mesh that is aft of element 24; and placing a pair of upper and lower curved dies or clamp parts, curved in the shape indicated at 46 in FIG. 13, over and under this rear projection and clamping it into the streamlined fishtail shape shown in FIGS. 8, l2 and 13. If the mesh is of resilient metal (or of nonresilient metal and covered or coated and impregnated with resilient rubber or other resilient plastic) the rear projection automatically, resiliently assumes the curved, approximately streamlined, fishtail shape 46-48, even when only its aftermost edge portion 50 is clamped by narrow clamps into a narrow horizontal band; but if the projection is not elastic the abovedescribed, wider, curved clamp parts are preferably used. In any event, this narrow flattened stern portion 50 is strongly bonded over and impregnated with epoxy or other strong putty or adhesive. (I) The abovedescribed stucco is now applied on and into the outer and inner parts of the mesh. And after this stucco dries or sets the outermost, flexible-rubber layer 14 of the composite body skin means is strongly glued on the stucco. (This layer 14 is optional; if desired it may be eliminated, as indicated in FIG. 15.) (J) Small holes are drilled in the body skin means; and the middle, main part of the body of FIG. 13 is now finished by pouring mixed foamed-plastic liquids thru these holes and around the tubular members and immediately closing the holes against pressure of the foaming liquids, thus further strengthening and insulating the body wall. (K) The deck 52-52 is formed by: gluing together with epoxy putty or other cement) a plurality of gaseousmaterial-containing tubular elements (53 and 54, FIG. 8) at the base of the curved interior wall of the main part of the body and of the bow (preferably the elements 54 are filler pieces of bamboo; and the whole of the assembled tubular elements preferably fills nearly all the space below the deck surface); covering these elements with epoxy or other strong cement (for example portland or mortar cement) mixed with fine, lightweight aggregate; and (preferably) slightly imbeding textile or metal fabric in the cement before it sets or dries. (L) Strengthening also the bow of the body with braces and/or extra interior layers of stucco on additional wire mesh. (M) If desired, thus strengthening also the fishtail stern of the body.

FIGS. 9, l5 and 16 indicate other optional forms of the body-wall structure. In the form of FIG. the tubular members are corrugated. They may be of molded plastic; or as shown they may comprise cylindrically bent pieces of corrugated thin metal (for example of aluminum alloy or steel). Optionally they may be made of corrugated metal sheet of the type used in roofs or trailer structures, but in smaller vehicles its thickness is preferably thinner than such material that is now commonly sold. These tubular members of FIG. 15 may be elongated and have sealing end caps only at elements 24 and 26; or optionally each corrugated member 55 comprises cans of the general type shown in FIG. 16 or FIG. 17. In FIG. 16 the cans are of the same diameter and have welded, brazed or epoxy-glued end caps that are strongly bonded together in the tubular member by epoxy or other strong putty or glue, 56, which comprises a thin adhesive layer between the abutting surfaces of the end caps. Alternatively, these end caps may be bonded by welding or brazing.

FIG. 9 shows a rigid body wall made of separate, bonded-together, stave-like construction units. Each of these members comprises: an inner, strength-providing piece 58, of plywood (or other wood or metal or reinforced plastic); a pair of planar side pieces, 60, of similar material, epoxy-glued or otherwise fixed to piece 58', a plurality of tubular members, 62, of any of the above-described types; and epoxy or other strong putty of glue between the closely adjacent portions of each adjoining pair of the tubular containers. Preferably the tubular elements are contiguously and inter-bracingly nested together, and have surfaces in contact with the side pieces 60; and optionally gas-containing filler elements of the type shown at 53 and 54 in FIG. 8 (bamboo or the like) may be used to further fill out the space between pieces 58 and the outer body skin. As illustrated, the elongated pieces 58 are planar; but optionally they may be curved to form, together, in cross section a cylindrical or oblong inner cabin wall; or they may be barrel-curved staves, in which event the members 62 are outwardly curved in fore-and-aft direction, and the outer cabin skin means is barrelcurved.

The stave-like members are joined in a cylindrical or oblong cabin wall by gluing them together with epoxy or other strong adhesive, 64, and then enveloping them in composite outer skin means. This skin means may be of the type shown in FIG. 17; or may comprise; an inner, annular, very thin sheath 66, of aluminum alloy, copper, steel (optionally spring steel) or strong, waterproofed textile or metallic fabric; and an outer, flexible sheet or coating 68 of rubber or other plastic. In any event, the stave-like members preferably are supported in assembly by solid-wall elements like 22 of FIG. 17. Foamed-plastic materials are poured around the tubular members and the cabin is otherwise finished as above described.

FIG. 11 indicates another way of bracingly nesting a plurality of inner and outer tubular members, between skins of the type illustrated in FIG. 17 or FIG. 9. Here the inner tubular members are shown as of smaller diameter than the similar outer members. They are glued together at their contiguous surfaces; the skins are formed; and then foam-plastic liquids are poured between the skins.

In the helicopter shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, as one example of various types of vehicles in which the invention of this cabin may be incorporated, a steering propeller, 70, is driven by fluid or electric current from the hydraulic or electric line 71 and the power means 72, which comprises a pump or generator and an engine. This propeller is mounted in the doughnut-shaped support 44,comprising an outer skin, 73, and inner reinforcing means. The inner reinforcement may consist of stiffly resilient or rigid foamed plastic, 74, or as indicated in FIG. 12 may comprise a plurality of interbracing, doughnut-shaped tubes 76, of thin metal or dense plastic, inflated with one of the above-described, highly-pressurized gaseous materials, and surrounded by foamed or other plastic (77), within the enveloping skin. The doughnut-tube-bracing element 78, comprising a strong skin of metal (or of the above-described type of stucco-impregnated mesh), provides a streamlined fairing for the after end of the doughnut-shaped support.

This support is further braced and strengthened by: l the contiguous edges of the above-described hole in the top of the body skin means and epoxy putty or other adhesive which strongly bonds the curved surface of the support skin to these edges; (2) the lower contact between the bottom surface of the support and the skin of the stern, together with epoxy or other bonding material, 80, between these two portions (its thickness is exaggerated in FIG. 13; in practice there is contact); and (3) the gas-cell-containing foam plastic 82 that is injected under pressure as foaming liquids thru a small, quickly sealable hole in the after part of the bodys outer skin. Preferably all the foamed plastic of this invention is of this closed-gas-cell type and placed under gaseous pressure.

In airplane or airboat use: the steering propeller may be eliminated; the support 44 is then a rudder supporting element, not necessarily doughnut-shaped and is preferably thinner than in FIG. 12; it optionally comprises a plurality of concentric tubes of different diameters with the radially inner surface of each tube in contact with the radially outer surface of a tube within it; and an aerodynamic rudder and optional aerodynamic elevator are hinged to the metal element 78, with mechanism for operating the rudder and/or elevator housed within 78. In this case the after end of element 78 is preferably vertical. And when the invention is incorporated in a boat having a water-immersed propeller, or in a car, the support 44 is preferably eliminated (with appropriate changes in the streamlining of the below-described balloon means); and when in such a boat the below-described element 100 comprises a sheath of strong, preferably resilient, stuccoimpregnated mesh or resilient sheet metal, and to its after end a rudder is hinged.

C USHIONING, SHOCK-ABSORBING MEANS The balloon means described below is part of the composite shock-absorbing means of this invention, but this part functions in taking the shock of a collision only in the very unlikely event that the balloon-stabilized vehicle should overturn. The most important part of the shock-absorbing cushion in each of the forms is around the sides and below the load-carrying body.

In the invention form of FIGS. 1 and 2 the shock-absorbing means comprises a flat-ended flexible tube, 3, and a flexible tube 4 that has pointed ends. Optionally the material of either of these tubes may be: thin, flexible sheet material that will stand long repeated bending without fracture (for example, preferably rubbercoated, thin copper or thin spring steel); fabric, impregnated and coated with flexible plastic (for example, rubberized cloth, plasticimpregnated-and-coated wire or cloth mesh). It is preferably made by welding, brazing or epoxy-gluing together the adjacent edges of two flat layers of the solid sheet material or of the impregnated fabric and then filling out the tube by its inflation with gaseous material into the illustrated shape (circular in its middle portion and curvingly tapering at each end into flattened end portions). The gaseous material utilized is preferably gas (air or helium) when the tube-wall material is sheet metal and the adjoining edges are hermetically sealed; the gas is forced into the tube via an inlet valve or a short gas inlet tube; and then the valve or inlet tube is permanently sealed as by solder, brazing, welding or epoxy putty. When the tubewall material is plastic-impregnated-and-coated fabric the gaseous material is optionally pressurized, rather stiffly resilient foam plastic, the mixed liquids of which are inserted thru a scalable opening in the wall. In any event, the flat ends are extended, for fastening and bracing purposes, at both the bow and the stern of the cabin. At the bow this extension preferably comprises a forked portion, comprising a pair of opposite flat parts of the sheet or impregnated material which straddle and are hermetically bonded to the end portions of the narrow, strong, flexible bracing strip 84. Forward of this strip the forked portion has opposite flat parts that are bonded together by epoxy (or other bonding material 86, thus securely holding the bracing strip in its taut position, linking the tubes 2 and 3, and uprightly spanning across the plexiglass forward window 87 without serious interference of vision from the front of the body. When this strip and the wall material of tube 3 are metallic the bonding material at both sides of the strip optionally may be brazing, welding, solder or epoxy; but if the strip is of fabric, impregnated and coated with flexible plastic, this bonding material preferably is epoxy putty or cement.

The flat rear-end portion of the tube 3 also comprises a forked portion and bonding material of the abovedescribed type. This rear-end portion comprises: a sealing layer, 88, of the bonding material between opposite bands of the flat portion (illustrated as brazing or the like); the lower one (89) of two vertically-spaced parts of the rudder, enveloped by and bonded to opposite bands of the forked portion; bonding material, 90, which securely closes after and forward parts of the forked portion over the rudder plate 89 and is applied at the same time as the bonding material on each face of this plate; and the lower part of a rudder-control post, 91, which is likewise enveloped and bonded to opposite bands of the forked portion.

The upper portion of the cushioning tube 4 is bonded by one of the above-described bonding materials to the bottom of the tube 3. This tube 4, having wall material and containing sealed-in gaseous material of one of the above-described types, has a cylindrical middle part and pointed end parts. The upper curve of each of the pointed ends is shaped to substantially fit the curvingly tapered bottom surface 92 of an end portion of the tube 3. The lower part of the tube 4 is tautly placed in and preferably bonded to the exterior skin 93 which envelops the curved parts of members 1, 2, 3 and 4. All

the bottom surface of this skin below the median horizontal plane of tube 4 is preferably sheathed with a protective coat of strong rubber that is similar to a smooth tread of an automobile tire.

In the invention form of FIGS. 8, l2 and 13 the cushioning means comprises: an outer, flexible, waterproof skin, 94 (optionally an integral part of an overall fabric-and-plastic skin 98 that remains in the generally symmetrical shape shown in FIGS. 8 and 13 when the vehicle is in the air or water, but flexes out of this shape when resting on the ground; inner shock-taking means that optionally may comprise the integral, readily flexible foamed plastic 96 of FIG. 13 or fibers of the like 97, as indicated in FIG. 8, housed within a flexible, generally cylindrical skin, and four flexible tubes 99, inflated with one of the above-named gases at a pressure well above that of the atmosphere, which preserves the shape of the cushions outer skin while the craft is in the air. Further streamlining and shape-preserving means for the skins comprise an after fairing which has a flexible skin and flexible foam plastic (shown in FIG. 13 at 100 in this skin), and resilient foamed. plastic, 101, within skin 98. An optional shape-preserving means is shown in FIG. 8 at 102; it is a flexible tube, inflated with gas, annularly curved at the nose of the cushion, and having after ends that are joined in a line at the cushions streamlined stern.

All the skins of this cushion are of fabric (preferably of nylon or other strong cloth, but optionally of copper or spring-steel mesh), impregnated and coated with flexible plastic, which preferably is rubber.

BALLOON MEANS.

The top part of the vehicle preferably comprises balloon means that aids in stabilizing the craft against pitching and rolling and in holding it upright when on the ground. As indicated in FIGS. 12 and 13, this means comprises two balloons with their adjacent ends 104 in contact with the lifting propeller-shaft tube 106, which projects upward between them to the top level of the balloon means.

Around the entire middle portion of the craft, comprising the balloon and the cylindrical parts of the cabin-and the cushion, there is wrapped a strong envelope, comprising nylon, balloon-cloth or other fabric, impregnated and coated with flexible plastic, and a resilient, shock-absorbing, foam-plastic pad that is bonded to the inner surface of the fabric. This envelope comprises streamlined fairing skins 108; its top is rearwardly extended and joined at l to the skin 73 of the steering-propeller support; and its bottom 112 is heavily and smoothly coated with tough rubber of the type used in automobile tire treads, to take the wear of skidding when on the ground.

In the form of the invented cabin shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the balloon means is illustrated as comprising two balloon bags that are contiguous in the area indicated by the line 114. These bags are within the flat-ended tube 2, which preferably is of nylon, balloon cloth or other fabric and is inclosed in the cabins exterior skin 93 of the above-described type. Each of the bags optionally has only one flat end (as illustrated in FIG. 1) or a pair of such ends in the area 114, with one flat end in contact with the flat end of the adjacent bag.

The rear, flat end of the flattened wall of the tube 2 has forked portions that are similar to those of the tube 3 and similarly envelop and are bonded to one of the rudder parts (shown at 116) and the upper end of the rudder-control post 91. The forward end of the tube 2 also has forked end portions which envelop and are bonded to the upper end of the strip 84 in the manner of the enveloping and bonding of the lower end of this strip. In the bonding of the flat-end parts of the tube 2 the bonding material is preferably epoxy putty or other strong plastic cement, when (as is preferred) the tube is of plastic-impregnated fabric. In this event, the tube may be repeatedly inflated with helium or other lighterthan-air gas thru a gas-inlet valve 118. Rivets or the like, 120, optionally may be used to augment the strength of the bonded joints of tubes 2 and 3.

OPTIONAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE BODY Optionally, the load-carrying body of FIGS. 1 to 4 or of FIGS. 12 and 13 may be made up of bondedtogether stave-like elements of the type indicated in FIG. 10A. Each of these elements, made in a mold, comprises a pair of spaced planar side pieces, 122 (of boards, plywood or metal), the outer faces of which lie in planes that converge inward, toward the load-containing space. When, as is preferred, the body is round in cross section (not oblong, as is optional) these planes substantially radiate from the center line 124, which is the longitudinal axis of the body. Between these two pieces 122 and preferably contacting their inner faces there are a plurality of cans. These cans may be pluralized (as indicated at 62 in FIG. 9) in the circumf'erential direction of the body, but preferably the space between the two pieces 122, at each cross section, is spanned by only one can, 126 or 128. These cans may be of the common l-gallon type that has snap-on lids or they may be of the type indicated in FIG. 15 or FIG. 16. In any event, they preferably have flanged ends, the projecting rims of which add strength to the stave-like element and the body. The element also comprises foam plastic or light-weight concrete around the cans, poured and thus bonded to the adjacent, inner, planar surfaces of the pieces 122.

Because of the inward curving of the ends of the side pieces 122 they are closer together at the section 11- 11 of FIG. 10 than at the section 1010; and either the cans 128 are of smaller diameter than the cans 126, or all of these cans are of a diameter which substantially spans the distance between the side pieces at their ends, but does not span this distance at 10l0. When a single, bent tube or elongated can replaces the cans 126 and 128 it has a diameter equal to or less than the distance between the ends of 122. And when the can diameter is thus uniformly small the filler material on each side of the can or tube at the section 10-10 is thicker than it it illustrated in FIG. 10A.

In assembly of the elements their outer planar surfaces are coated with epoxy or other adhesive, and each adjoining pair of the pieces 122 are jammed together in a fixture and held in proper relation until the glue between them sets. Then around the assembled arcuate-in-cross section frame of stave-like elements looped, stave-holding means (optionally steel, barrel-like hoops, but preferably metal mesh (as indicated in FIG. 10A) is tightly placed over the stavelike elements. And application of coats of stucco, 130, of one of the above types, completes construction of the load-carrying body.

As indicated in FIGS. 1 and this body, as well as each of its stave-like elements, has a straight portion in its middle part around curved forward and after ends. But in the construction of a cylindrical body of the type of FIGS. 12 and 13, the stave-like element of FIG. 10 is a segment of a cylinder, without curved ends.

Each of the flat parts of the flat-ended tubes of the balloon and lower cushion has a maximum dimension that is approximately l :6 times the tubes diameter; and the length of the curving taper from the cylindrical part to the flat end is approximately in exact proportion to the tubes diameter (about twice the diameter). In the construction of the tapered ends of the body 1 and the cushioning tube (or tubes) 4 the curvature of their pointed, tapered ends is planned to conform with the tapered-end curvature of the body 1.

The attitude-controlling rudder and elevator of FIG. 1 may be actuated by mechanism from within the body 1 in accordance with any suitable known method of operation of airplane controls. As illustrated, the rudder-control post 91 has a bar or lever jutting from opposite sides of it, with a yoke or looped part, 132, that is fixed around the post. Between the ends of this bar and the pulleys 134 (at the ends of the shaft of a fluid or electric motor) cables extend. These selectively control pivoting of the lever and post, and this causes a change in angle of the rudder plates 89 and 116. The elevator has a pivoted yoke portion 136, and this yoke,

with the elevator, is angled up or down by the fluid or electric motor 138.

The strip 84 has a bushing 140 fixed at its center, thru which the shaft of an aerodynamic propeller, of the type shown in FIG. 12, may be extended. When the vehicle incorporating the invented cabin of FIG. 1 is a helicopter the two balloon bags are spaced apart in a gap at the area 114 and a lifting-propeller shaft is extended thru this gap and thru a bearing in a hole in the tube 2; and the tube at the hole is sealed with respect to the bearing and shaft.

In FIG. 3 the balloon means has the same diameter as the body 1, and the cushion optionally has two inflated, curvingly-pointed-end, cushion tubes 142, of the type of FIG. 2. Alternatively, this lower cushion of FIG. 3 may comprise only one flexible envelope, as in FIGS. 4 and 6, containing resilient foam plastic of fibers 97 that surround spherical balloons 144. Balloons of this type are also shown in FIG. 5; and optionally the balloons 146 may be placed at the top of the load-containing space. In the invention form of FIG. 4 the balloon means 2 is of sufficient volume to float or nearly float the cabin off the water or ground; and the cushioning means comprises (within the outer envelope) a part (mat) 148 of stiffly resilient foam plastic. This mat has a lower planar (or else cambered) surface which presents an angle of attack to forward travel. As a result the lift on the vehicle's bottom raises it the desired amount in the air. Obviously, the single cushioning tube of FIG. 6 may be substituted for the lower cushioning tube of either FIG. 2 or FIG. 4.

Within the scope of the appended claims various changes in the specific structure may be made. For example, the axles of wheels may be fixed to the bottom of the cushion of FIG. 3 or FIG. 8, (or forward and aft of the cushion of FIG. 8, with optional upright shock absorbers between the axles and the body 1 or 1A.

In the following claims, unless otherwise qualified: the term tubular member signifies a single tube or a plurality of end-connected tubular articles, of any crosssectional shape; gaseous material" means: any gas, gaseous mixture, gas-cell-containing foam plastic, or yieldable material comprising fibers or other particles and air or other gas between the particles; plastic means rubber or any other type of natural or synthetic plastic; filler material" means any firm or yielding substance; looped means" signifies curved assembly bands, or barrel-hoop-like rings, or equivalent looped means that assemblingly encompasses a curved structure (for example, steel-mesh strips or sheets); and stucco signifies material comprising a substance that is soft when applied and thereafter hardens (for example, material comprising epoxy resin or other plastic or portland cement, or lime or the like, preferably mixed with granular material such as sand, vermiculite or pumice).

I claim:

1. A vehicular cabin comprising:

a substantially rigid load-holding body, having a foreand-aft longitudinal axis, exteriorly arcuate in cross sections, and having a rear part with an exteriorly curved surface portion that rearwardly tapers toward the said axis; and

shock-absorbing means in contact with curved, lower portions of the said body, comprising: a rearward, yieldable part, having upper curvature which conforms to curvature of the said rearwardly tapering portion; an elongated, yieldable part, forward of said rearward part, having a straight, elongated, fore-and-aft axis; a yieldable fairing means, comprising plastic producing smooth cabin contours; and flexible skin means, connected to said body, bracing and surrounding the said rearward and elongated parts of the shock-absorbin g means;

the said rearward and elongated parts comprising a plurality of flexible hollow members, each of which has an envelope and gaseous material in the 6. A cabin as set forth in claim 4, in which the said particles are separate fibers.

7. A cabin as set forth in claim 4, in which at least one of the said hollow members is a yieldable tubular member.

8. A cabin as set forth in claim 1, in which the said hollow members comprise balloons and foam plastic between the balloons and the said skin means.

9. A cabin as set forth in claim 7, in which the gaseous material within the envelope of the said tubular member is lighter-than-air gas.

10. A cabin as set forth in claim 1, in which the gaseous material within the envelopes of the said hollow members is gas, and foam plastic is between said skin means and said rearward and elongated parts.

11. A cabin as set forth in claim 1, in which the gaseous material within the envelopes of the said hollow members comprises foam plastic, and flexible filler material is between said skin means and said rearward and elongated'parts.

12. A cabin as set forth in claim 7, in which the said gaseous material within the envelope of the said tubular member comprises fibers and gas between fibers.

13. A cabin as set forth in claim 1, in which the said load-holding body has hollow-wall structure that comprises: a plurality of adjacent tubular members having substantially parallel, fore-and-aft axes; and gaseous material within the said last-named tubular members.

14. A cabin as set forth in claim 13, in which each of the said adjacent tubular members comprises at least one elongated tube, having a length equal to at least a fifth of the fore-and-aft length of the said body.

15. A cabin as set forth in claim 14, in which the gaseous material in the said adjacent tubular members 15 gas.

16. A cabin as set forth in claim 15, in which the said gas is lighter than air.

17. A cabin as set forth in claim 15, in which the said gas is under pressure greater than that of the atmosphere.

. 18. A cabin as set forth in claim 13, in which the said adjacent tubular members comprise corrugated walls and bonding material between them.

19. A cabin as set forth in claim 1, in which the said load-holding body has hollow-wall structure, comprising a plurality of adjacent stave-like elements, each of which comprises: a pair of spaced, planar side pieces, the outer two faces of which converge inward, toward the load-containing space of said load-holding body; at least one hollow-wall tubular member between said side pieces; and filler material between said side pieces and in contact with said tubular member.

20. A cabin as set forth in claim 19, in which each said tubular member comprises: a row of end-joined cans. v

21. A cabin as set forth in claim 19, in which each end-joined pair of the said cans comprises a relatively large can and a can having a smaller diameter than that of said relatively large can.

22. A cabin as set forth in claim 21, in which said hollow-wall tubular members in the stave-like elements comprise tubes having corrugated walls.

23. Vehicular structure, comprising:

a load-supporting body, having a longitudinal axis,

comprising:

side-by-side-assembled stave-like elements, each of which comprises: a pair of planar, cabin-strengthproviding side pieces, spaced apart in cross sections normal to the said axis, having a pair of outer faces that converge inward, toward the load space of said load-holding body; a plurality of hollow elements between the said side pieces; gaseous material in each of said hollow elements; and filler material between the side pieces and in contact with said hollow elements;

looped means encompassing said stave-like elements;

flexible shock-absorbing means flanking a substantial portion of the assembly of stave-like elements;

and means connecting said shock-absorbing means to said assembled elements.

24. Structure as set forth in claim 23, in which the said hollow elements comprise end-joined cans that form an elongated tubular member.

25. Structure as set forth in claim 24 in which each end-joined pair of the said cans comprises a relatively large can and a relatively smaller can having its end adjoined to an end of said large can.

26. Structure as set forth in claim 23, in which the said hollow elements comprise tubes having corrugated walls.

27. Structure as set forth in claim 23, in which a median plane thru each of the said stave-like elements intersects the ends of the outer surface of the stave-like element in arcuate lines and intersects a middle portion of the said outer surface, between said ends, in a straight line that is parallel to the said axis.

28. Structure as set forth in claim 13, in which the said looped means comprises sheet-like, metallic means, enveloping the said assembled, stave-like elements, and extending rearward of their after ends in a curved, streamlined portion that tapers toward said axis.

29. Structure as set forth in claim 23, in which the said looped means comprises metallic mesh and stucco,

impregnating and coating the said mesh.

30. Vehicular structure comprising:

a body having: a middle part; and opposite end parts, each of which comprises a wall portion with an upper curved surface that curvingly tapers downward toward the longitudinal axis of said body;

aerostatic means above and connected to said body, comprising at least one lighter-than air balloon, and having a skin that comprises: a pair of opposite, substantially flat and parallel ends, each extending in a direction that is substantially normal to said axis; a lower surface portion that curvingly" slopes downward toward said body at each of said ends, a substantial portionof which is in conformity with said upper curved surfaces of the body; and an upper surface portion that curvingly slopes upward away from said body at each of said ends; each of said flat ends comprising a pair of sealingly-joined, substantially flat plies of the material of said skin and a pair of spaced-apart, forked plies of said material that are integral with said first-named plies; a band of strength-providing material, strengthening and bracing said aerostatic means, fixed between and to the said forked plies; and

means for force-transmittingly connecting said bands to said body.

31. Structure as set forth in claim 30, in which said body has a lower wall that at each of its ends curvingly slopes upward toward said axis, the said structure comprising: at least one resilient tubular member, having a pair of opposite, substantially flat and parallel end portions, each extending in a direction that is substantially normal to said axis and aligned with one of said flat ends of said aerostatic means; the said tubular member containing gaseous material and having a skin that at each of its ends has an upper surface that curvingly slopes upward toward said body, a substantial portion of which is in conformity with said lower wall portions of the body; each of the said flat end portions comprising a pair of joined, substantially flat plies of the material of said tubular-member skin and a pair of spacedapart forks of the material of the tubular member skin 

1. A vehiCular cabin comprising: a substantially rigid load-holding body, having a fore-and-aft longitudinal axis, exteriorly arcuate in cross sections, and having a rear part with an exteriorly curved surface portion that rearwardly tapers toward the said axis; and shock-absorbing means in contact with curved, lower portions of the said body, comprising: a rearward, yieldable part, having upper curvature which conforms to curvature of the said rearwardly tapering portion; an elongated, yieldable part, forward of said rearward part, having a straight, elongated, fore-and-aft axis; a yieldable fairing means, comprising plastic producing smooth cabin contours; and flexible skin means, connected to said body, bracing and surrounding the said rearward and elongated parts of the shock-absorbing means; the said rearward and elongated parts comprising a plurality of flexible hollow members, each of which has an envelope and gaseous material in the envelope.
 2. A cabin as set forth in claim 1, in which the said gaseous material comprises gas under pressure above that of the atmosphere.
 3. A cabin as set forth in claim 1, in which the said gaseous material comprises lighter-than-air gas.
 4. A cabin as set forth in claim 1, in which at least part of the said gaseous material comprises a multiplicity of particles and gas between particles.
 5. A cabin as set forth in claim 4, in which the said particles and gas constitute foam plastic.
 6. A cabin as set forth in claim 4, in which the said particles are separate fibers.
 7. A cabin as set forth in claim 4, in which at least one of the said hollow members is a yieldable tubular member.
 8. A cabin as set forth in claim 1, in which the said hollow members comprise balloons and foam plastic between the balloons and the said skin means.
 9. A cabin as set forth in claim 7, in which the gaseous material within the envelope of the said tubular member is lighter-than-air gas.
 10. A cabin as set forth in claim 1, in which the gaseous material within the envelopes of the said hollow members is gas, and foam plastic is between said skin means and said rearward and elongated parts.
 11. A cabin as set forth in claim 1, in which the gaseous material within the envelopes of the said hollow members comprises foam plastic, and flexible filler material is between said skin means and said rearward and elongated parts.
 12. A cabin as set forth in claim 7, in which the said gaseous material within the envelope of the said tubular member comprises fibers and gas between fibers.
 13. A cabin as set forth in claim 1, in which the said load-holding body has hollow-wall structure that comprises: a plurality of adjacent tubular members having substantially parallel, fore-and-aft axes; and gaseous material within the said last-named tubular members.
 14. A cabin as set forth in claim 13, in which each of the said adjacent tubular members comprises at least one elongated tube, having a length equal to at least a fifth of the fore-and-aft length of the said body.
 15. A cabin as set forth in claim 14, in which the gaseous material in the said adjacent tubular members is gas.
 16. A cabin as set forth in claim 15, in which the said gas is lighter than air.
 17. A cabin as set forth in claim 15, in which the said gas is under pressure greater than that of the atmosphere.
 18. A cabin as set forth in claim 13, in which the said adjacent tubular members comprise corrugated walls and bonding material between them.
 19. A cabin as set forth in claim 1, in which the said load-holding body has hollow-wall structure, comprising a plurality of adjacent stave-like elements, each of which comprises: a pair of spaced, planar side pieces, the outer two faces of which converge inward, toward the load-containing space of said load-holding body; at least one hollow-wall tubular member between said side pieces; and filler material between said side pieces and in contact with said tubular member.
 20. A cabin as set forth in claim 19, in wHich each said tubular member comprises: a row of end-joined cans.
 21. A cabin as set forth in claim 19, in which each end-joined pair of the said cans comprises a relatively large can and a can having a smaller diameter than that of said relatively large can.
 22. A cabin as set forth in claim 21, in which said hollow-wall tubular members in the stave-like elements comprise tubes having corrugated walls.
 23. Vehicular structure, comprising: a load-supporting body, having a longitudinal axis, comprising: side-by-side-assembled stave-like elements, each of which comprises: a pair of planar, cabin-strength-providing side pieces, spaced apart in cross sections normal to the said axis, having a pair of outer faces that converge inward, toward the load space of said load-holding body; a plurality of hollow elements between the said side pieces; gaseous material in each of said hollow elements; and filler material between the side pieces and in contact with said hollow elements; looped means encompassing said stave-like elements; flexible shock-absorbing means flanking a substantial portion of the assembly of stave-like elements; and means connecting said shock-absorbing means to said assembled elements.
 24. Structure as set forth in claim 23, in which the said hollow elements comprise end-joined cans that form an elongated tubular member.
 25. Structure as set forth in claim 24 in which each end-joined pair of the said cans comprises a relatively large can and a relatively smaller can having its end adjoined to an end of said large can.
 26. Structure as set forth in claim 23, in which the said hollow elements comprise tubes having corrugated walls.
 27. Structure as set forth in claim 23, in which a median plane thru each of the said stave-like elements intersects the ends of the outer surface of the stave-like element in arcuate lines and intersects a middle portion of the said outer surface, between said ends, in a straight line that is parallel to the said axis.
 28. Structure as set forth in claim 13, in which the said looped means comprises sheet-like, metallic means, enveloping the said assembled, stave-like elements, and extending rearward of their after ends in a curved, streamlined portion that tapers toward said axis.
 29. Structure as set forth in claim 23, in which the said looped means comprises metallic mesh and stucco, impregnating and coating the said mesh.
 30. Vehicular structure comprising: a body having: a middle part; and opposite end parts, each of which comprises a wall portion with an upper curved surface that curvingly tapers downward toward the longitudinal axis of said body; aerostatic means above and connected to said body, comprising at least one lighter-than air balloon, and having a skin that comprises: a pair of opposite, substantially flat and parallel ends, each extending in a direction that is substantially normal to said axis; a lower surface portion that curvingly slopes downward toward said body at each of said ends, a substantial portion of which is in conformity with said upper curved surfaces of the body; and an upper surface portion that curvingly slopes upward away from said body at each of said ends; each of said flat ends comprising a pair of sealingly-joined, substantially flat plies of the material of said skin and a pair of spaced-apart, forked plies of said material that are integral with said first-named plies; a band of strength-providing material, strengthening and bracing said aerostatic means, fixed between and to the said forked plies; and means for force-transmittingly connecting said bands to said body.
 31. Structure as set forth in claim 30, in which said body has a lower wall that at each of its ends curvingly slopes upward toward said axis, the said structure comprising: at least one resilient tubular member, having a pair of opposite, substantially flat and parallel end portions, each extending in a direction that is substantially normal to said axis and aligneD with one of said flat ends of said aerostatic means; the said tubular member containing gaseous material and having a skin that at each of its ends has an upper surface that curvingly slopes upward toward said body, a substantial portion of which is in conformity with said lower wall portions of the body; each of the said flat end portions comprising a pair of joined, substantially flat plies of the material of said tubular-member skin and a pair of spaced-apart forks of the material of the tubular-member skin that are integral with said last-named plies; each of the said bands being elongated and extending below said body in a lower end; and means fastening each of said lower band ends between and to the said forks. 